Help with the cost of living crisis

As we head towards winter, with costs spiralling and fuel prices multiplying, it’s already difficult to make ends meet.

Many carers feel stressed or anxious about their finances, with many fearing they’ll be forced to choose between ‘heating and eating’.

These are worrying times but there IS support available to you. On this page, Carers’ Resource takes a look at some of the possible sources of financial help for carers.

There are also likely to be other sources of help introduced, both locally and nationally, and we will aim to keep you up to date with these.

General advice and support

As information changes constantly, the following webpages are kept up to date and are a reliable way to find any information out about what and when financial help is available.

www.helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk

www.gov.uk/cost-of-living

Winter cost of living support payments will be made to some households this winter including to those receiving means-tested benefits and to pensioners. To find out what support you might be able to get, use the government financial support calculator: www.gov.uk/check-benefits-financial-support

Bradford Council: www.costoflivingbradford.co.uk

North Yorkshire Council: www.northyorks.gov.uk/cost-living-support

Energy advice and support - national and regional

Energy Price Guarantee

From 1 July 2023, households without a pre-payment meter no longer receive an Energy Price Guarantee discount on their gas and electricity bills.

This is because the Ofgem price cap is lower than the Energy Price Guarantee level, meaning households will pay rates capped by the price cap. The Energy Price Guarantee will remain in place as a safety net until the end of March 2024.

From 1 October 2023 onwards there is a change in how the discount is delivered for households with a pre-payment meter. Instead of being delivered via a discount to unit rates, it is delivered via a discount to the standing charges. This ensures low usage customers are fully supported by the Energy Price Guarantee.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/energy-bills-support/energy-bills-support-factsheet-8-september-2022

Warm Home Discount Scheme

Some households with a low income and high energy costs will receive £150 off electricity bills for winter 2023 to 2024 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. This is a one-off discount applied to your electricity bill between early October 2023 and 31 March 2024. You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. If you might be eligible, you’ll get a letter by early January 2024. www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity funded by British Gas to help British Gas customers and customers of other suppliers (which don’t have their own scheme) with arrears up to £1,500.

www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

Citizens Advice offers free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of topics, including energy. They can help with things like: how to switch supplier; what to do if you’re struggling to pay your bills or are in debt; saving money on your energy bills; advice on other areas including benefits problems, debt and money. Tel: 0808 223 1133
Textphone: 118001 / 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills

Green Doctor – this service is part of GroundWork and runs across the North East and Yorkshire. Eligibility applies for free home visits to access advice on issues with energy suppliers including billing, debt, meter connection and access to emergency top ups for those on a pre-paid meter whilst isolated, emergency broken heating/ hot water/ gas appliances and much more. T. 0113 238 0601
E. greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk

www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor/

LEAP Local Energy Advice Partnership. This is a free service that is helping people keep warm and reduce their energy bills without costing them any money. T. 0800 060 7567
www.applyforleap.org.uk

Money Helper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory and Pension Wise. It can offer support and advice over the phone and online. There are useful tools available on the website such as a benefits calculator, a Money Midlife MOT, a Budget Planner. T. 0800 138 7777

www.moneyhelper.org.uk

NEA National Energy Action, a charity working to end fuel poverty. If you or someone you know can’t afford to heat their home they offer a range of advice and support both directly to people in need, and via frontline workers and other intermediaries. T. 0800 304 7159
www.nea.org.uk

Scope Disability Energy Support offers free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping them to manage their energy and water needs. The service is open to: any disabled person or households where 1 or more disabled people live, and those households are in England or Wales. There is a high demand for telephone appointments. New appointments are being released each week. Scope has language interpreters and British Sign Language interpreters too. T.0808 801 0828
www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

Warm Spaces

National

Warm Welcome – All venues offering a warm space are being encouraged to add their venue to the national Warm Welcome website. There are currently over 3000 registered organisations that have opened or opening up free, warm welcoming spaces for the public.

Warm Spaces – Another national online directory of warm spaces.

Bradford District

Bierley Community Centre – BD4 – Warm Space 9am-2pm Offers a warm space with hot drinks, toast and soup provided.

Cost of Living Bradford – New website dedicated to the cost of living, sections included are similar to the ones in the booklet (see below). The website does include info on Warm Spaces (venues where people can gather for free in a warm, safe, welcoming place and maybe enjoy a hot drink and some company). The network of Warm Spaces is made up of libraries, community centres, church halls, sports clubs and more…

St Peter’s Church, Shipley – Warm Space on Fridays 10.30am – 2.30pm hot drink and soup provided, no charge. Moorhead Lane, Shipley

North Yorkshire

Craven District Council has put together a Warm and Welcome Places Directory.

Harrogate – local churches are providing a free, warm and welcoming space available to anyone. You can find venues here with information being updated regularly.

The Stray Ferret website has put together a list of warm places available in Harrogate, Knaresborough and Starbeck.

Ripon – Cathedral Community Connections and Ripon Community House have compiled a list of places which offer a Warm Welcome in the city.

Ripon Salvation Army – Warm Space – Tuesdays 9.30am- 3pm, company, chat, games, light lunch
Lead Lane, Ripon, HG4 2NE
T. 01765 692 657 (Steph)

Sherburn in Elmet Library – Warm Space – The library is open as a Warm Space Monday to Saturday and will be offering free hot drinks and biscuits over the winter period. It also plans to offer free activities on Wednesdays such as crafts, talks, exercises, and health and wellbeing.
Sherburn and Villages Community Library, Finkle Hill, Sherburn in Elmet, LS25 6EA
T. 01609 536 033

Clothes and school uniform banks

Bradford District

Bradford Uniform Stop Kirsty will be holding a Bradford uniform stop one day event on Saturday 22 October 2022 11am-3pm at Creative Child- Bamboo kids Bradford BD4 9LX. Uniforms will be free of charge.
T. 01274 231 735
E. Kirstyleigh.bradforduniformstop@gmail.com

Shipley School Uniform Bank children must be resident of, or attend school within one of the following areas: Shipley, Windhill & Wrose, Baildon, Idle & Thackley, Bolton & Undercliffe and Eccleshill. The family must be experiencing financial hardship. No proof is needed from families to apply, for this service.
E. shipleyareasub@gmail.com

Craven

The Hive uniform shop preloved uniform available to buy at discounted prices. Open Monday-Friday 9am-3pm.
A. 53-55 Elliott Street, Silsden BD20 0DE

T. 01271 407279

S.C.A.D. preloved uniform available to buy at discounted prices. Open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm
A. Cross Hills 27-29 Main Street, Cross Hills, Keighley BD20 8TA

M. 07849 892835

South Craven School uniform for sale, swap or free parents or carers will need to join the Facebook group to access and view what is available

Harrogate

Harrogate Clothes Bank clothes for adults, children and babies. Everything is free, no proof needed to access it. Open every Wednesday 10-12noon, and the second Saturday of the month 10-12noon.
A. Disability Action Yorkshire, Unit 14a, Hornbeam Park Oval, Harrogate, HG2 8RB
T. 01423 589148
E. harrogateclothes@gmail.com

Harrogate and Knaresborough Toy Library toys and resources to borrow, taking you from birth to pre-school and beyond. You need to become a member, there is a family membership costing £30 a year allowing to borrow up to 2 toys for up to 2 weeks.
A. The Old School, St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Knaresborough, HG5 9AW

The Canaan Warehouse offers free items of used furniture, homewares and appliances
E. briananderson53@outlook.com

The Village Harrogate provides clothes and equipment for babies, clothes for children up to the age of 6 years, maternity clothes and school uniforms.
E. hello@thevillageharrogate.co.uk

Crisis Help

Depher Disability and Elderly Plumbing and Heating Emergency Repair (Depher) provides vulnerable people with access affordable and vital emergency works. It relies on public donations to cover all labour and materials, provides free services during winter months and discounted during summer.
T. 01282 420 678
E. info@depher.co.uk

Food

Areawide and National

Iceland Supermarket every Tuesday over 60s can enjoy a 10% discount in-store, no minimum spend needed. To redeem the offer they will need to show one of the following: senior bus pass; driver’s licence or senior railcard.

Bradford District

Bingley Community Kitchen runs a weekly (every Friday afternoons) market stall where families can attend and select the food they would like, from a range of tinned, dried and fresh foods.

Pay £4 for up to 15 items, plus additional items dependent on availability. Based in Trinity All Saints Cofe School BD16 2PP. Families can self-refer if on income support or in receipt of universal credit.
E. communitykitchen.bingley@gmail.com

Bradford Community Kitchen Open 7 days a week. Self-referrals can be made. Collection from Millside Centre BD1 2HS. Areas served: BD1 all the way to BD18.
M. 07888 693 196
E. info@bck.org.uk

Clayton Community Grub and Foodbank no referral needed for the market. £3 per bag. Areas served: BD7, BD13, BD14. Collection from: Thornaby Hub, Tanton Walk, BD14 6HA. Open Friday afternoons 1 – 2pm.
M. 07846 344 071
E. thethornabyhub@yahoo.com

Community Shop Bradford is a new social supermarket on the Avenue Retail Park at Tong Street. The site will also host a Community Hub, which provides members with access to life-changing personal development support. Sessions include everything from cookery clubs and home budgeting to interview skills and business courses.
A. Weaverthorpe Park, Unit C Tong St, Weaverthorpe Rd, Bradford BD4 9RQ

Lower grange Community Centre no referral required. Areas served: BD8 (Lower Grange and Fairweather Green), BD15 (Allerton). £3 per bag. Open on Friday mornings 9.30 – 11am. Collection from Lower grange Community Centre BD8 0RF.
T. 01274 880 328

Ravenscliffe – The Gateway no referral required. Areas covered: BD10, BD2 (Eccleshill, Fagley). Open Tuesday 10 – 11.30am. Pay as you feel. Collection from The Gateway Centre BD10 0JR
T. 01274 636 602

Sandale Trust no referral required. Area served: BD6. Collection from Sandale Community Hub, Buttershaw, BD6 3LX. Pay as you feel. Open Mondays 12 – 2pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30am – 2pm
T. 01274 270 170

The Trussell Trust lists Social Supermarkets specifically on its website.

North Yorkshire

Bentham Community Pantry and Fridge open Wednesdays 10am – 12noon, The Methodist Chapel, Station Rd, High Bentham, LA7LF
E. MarciePotts@hotmail.com

Canaan Warehouse – Harrogate redistributes donated household items and clothing for free to those in serious need in the Harrogate area.
M. 07570 479797
E. briananderson53@outlook.com

Community Food – Harrogate updated list of local community food providers in the Harrogate District.

Harrogate Clothes Bank free, good quality, previously owned clothes. Open every Wednesday 10am – 12noon, and the second Saturday of every month from 10am – 12noon. The clothes bank is in Disability Action Yorkshire, unit 14a, Hornbeam Park Oval, Harrogate, HG2 8RB.
T. 01423 589 148
E. harrogateclothes@gmail.com

Hellifield Community Fridge and Pantry open Fridays 2-3pm, Methodist Church, Haw Grove, Hellifield, BD23 4JA
M. 07931 511 652 Mrs P Wright

Ingleton Community Pantry and Fridge open Saturdays 11am- 12noon, St Mary’s Church, Main Street, Ingleton, LA6 3EB
E. kellyrobinson2106@gmail.com

Resurrected Bites – Harrogate and Knasborough a based community organisation aiming to reduce food waste and food poverty. It runs Give as You Can Cafes
West Park United Reformed Church, Harrogate HG1 1EQ, every Wednesday 10am – 2pm;
Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough HG5 8AN every Tuesday and Friday 10am – 2pm;
and Community Groceries
New Park Community Hub, Harrogate HG1 3HF, every Tuesday and Thursday 9.30am – 3.30pm
Gracious Street Methodist Church, Knaresborough HG5 8AN, every Tuesday and Friday 9am – 2pm
M. 07434 636 485
E. newparkgrocery@resurrectedbites.co.uk or graciousstgrocery@resurrectedbites.co.uk

St Peter’s Church – Harrogate provides meals and a mini supermarket for those in need, no questions asked. Hot Breakfast: Monday – Saturday; Hot Meal: Monday, Wednesday, Friday with take away option available; Mini Supermarket: Thursdays 4.30 – 4.50pm and Sunday Lunches 1 – 1.30pm. Address: Cambridge Road, HG1 1PB.
T. 01423 568 218

Selfa Community Fridge – Skipton reduces food waste and helps local people. No referrals needed, all welcome. The fridge is open every Wednesdays 12noon til 2pm and is at Ings CP School, Broughton Road, Skipton, BD23 1TE.
E. community.fridge@selfa.org.uk

Settle POP Up Pantry open Fridays 11am – 12noon at Church of the Ascension, Settle, BD24 9JA
T. 01729 825 955 Rev. Julie Clarkson

The Village – Harrogate baby bank and school uniform swap provides free essential needs for new mums, families and children up to the age of 6 in Harrogate and North Yorkshire. Referral is online on the website, then The Village will either deliver or the client is invited to collect the donations and share a cup of tea.
M. 07936 834 050

Foodbanks

Bradford District

Bingley Foodbank referral is by e-voucher or voucher from a referral agency. Collection from Bingley Little Theatre BD16 2LZ, Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30 – 11.45am. Areas served: BD16, BD15
M. 07826 724 161
E. bingleyfoodbank@gmail.com

Bradford Central Foodbank referral is by e-voucher or voucher from a referral agency. Collection from the Jubilee Centre BD1 4EJ. Areas served: BD1, BD3, BD4, BD5, BD7, BD8, BD14.
*** please note the foodbank won’t be opened on Wednesdays through August, still open Tuesdays and Thursdays***
***the foodbank in Jubilee Centre is accessed from Stott Hill until September***
M. 07838 830 438
E. info@bradfordcentral.foodbank.org.uk

Bradford East Foodbank at Womenzone self referral or by referral agencies. Collection from WomenZone BD3 9TE, Monday to Thursday 10am – 2pm. Areas served: district-wide.
T. 01274 665 270
E. info@womenzone.co.uk

Bradford Foodbanks all food providers across Bradford are listed on this website.

Bradford North Foodbank referral by agency. Areas served: BD2, BD9, BD10, Bd17, BD18, LS19, LS20, LS28. Collection from
St Lukes Church, Eccleshill, BD2 3NS
Church on the Way, Five Lane Ends, BD10 8SA
Shipley Baptist Church, BD18 3QY
Christchurch, Windhill, BD18 2NR
Rawdon, LS19 6AS
T. 01274 292 256
E. info@bradfordnorth.foodbank.org.uk

Clayton Community Grub and Foodbank self-referral and/ or referral by agency. Areas served: BD7, BD13, BD14. Collection from: Thornaby Hub, Tanton Walk, BD14 6HA. Open Friday afternoons 1 – 2pm.
M. 07846 344 071
E. thethornabyhub@yahoo.com

Denholme Assist self-referral and/or referral by agency. Area served: BD13 (Denholme only). Parcels are delivered within 24 hours, no collection.
T. 01274 019 179

Feedo Needo self-referrals. Areas served: BD1, BD2, BD3, BD4, BD5, BD6, BD7. Collection is by appointment only, from Woodroyd Centre BD5 8EL.
M. 07308 497 335

Hope Yorkshire independent community foodbank open 5 days a week referral form here.
T. 0800 015 7866
E. info@hopeyorkshire.co.uk

Ilkley Foodbank referral by agency via their Facebook page. Area served: LS29. Collection from Ilkley Foodbank Church Street LS29 9DS.

Keighley Foodbank Partnership referral by agency,click here for the Signposting Form . Areas served: BD13 (Cullingworth and Denholme), BD15 (Wilsden), BD16, BD20, BD21, BD22. The different foodbanks are offering a mix of collection and delivery. Details will be given at the time of referral.
T. 01535 603 494
E. keighley@salvationarmy.org.uk

Lower grange Community Centre self-referral and/or referral by agency. Areas served: BD8 (Lower Grange and Fairweather Green), BD15 (Allerton). Open on Friday mornings 11 – 11.30am. Collection from Lower grange Community Centre BD8 0RF.
T. 01274 880 328

Ravenscliffe – The Gateway self-referral and/or referral by agency. Areas covered: BD10, BD2 (Eccleshill, Fagley). Open Monday to Friday (9am – 5pm / 4pm on Friday). Collection from The Gateway Centre BD10 0JR
T. 01274 636 602

Red Letter Project no referral required. Area served: BD7. Open Wednesdays 11am – 12.30noon. Collection from St John’s Church BD7 4AB.
E. redletterproject@stjohnsgreathorton.org.uk

Salvation Army Foodbank Wibsey self-referrals. Area served: BD6 (Wibsey). Collection from Salvation Army, Bradford Citadel, BD6 1NS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9am – 12noon.
T. 01274 677 591

Salvation Army Holmewood self-referrals by their Facebook page. Area served: BD4 (Holmewood and Bierley). Collection details given at time of referral.
T. 01274 684 230
E. angelo.meneghello@salvationarmy.org.uk

Sandale Trust self-referrals. Area served: BD6. Collection from Sandale Community Hub, Buttershaw, BD6 3LX
T. 01274 270 170

Save The Mothers self-referrals and/or referral by agency. Area served: District wide. Food parcels are delivered next working day. No collection.
T. 01274 270 043
E. info@smtrust.org.uk

St Paul’s Wibsey self-referral by texting the church. Area served: BD6 (Wibsey). Parcels are delivered Monday, Wednesday and Saturday morning. No Collection.
M. 07936 023 093

Thornton Foodbank open access referral at the church, Areas served: BD13, Allerton (parts of BD8, BD15). Collection Saturdays 10am – 12noon from St James Church, Thornton, BD13 3AB.

We Are Queensbury self-referral via Facebook or phone. Area served: BD13. Collection from 27 High Street, Queensbury, BD13 2PE on Wednesday morning.
M. 07704 596 823

Wyke Foodbank referral by agency. Areas served: BD6, BD11, BD12, BD13, BD19. Food parcels are cureently delivered.
M. 07941 380 420
E. info@wyke.foodbank.org.uk

North Yorkshire

Community Food Provision leaflet updated list of local community food providers in the Harrogate District.

Harrogate District Foodbank referral by approved agency for foodbank voucher. Locations are:
Mowbray Community Church, Harrogate HG1 5AT. Open on Tuesdays and Fridays 10.30am – 12.30pm
Holy Trinity Church, Knaresborough HG5 8BQ. Open on Fridays 10.30am – 12.30pm
Starbeck Foodbank Life Destiny Church, Strabeck HG2 7LH. Open on Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm
M. 0788 552 9864
E. info@harrogatedistrict.foodbank.org.uk

Ripon Food Support provides emergency food parcels for people in crisis in Ripon, Boroughbridge and surroundings villages. Referrals by approved agencies on Monday to Thursday. Collections on Tuesday or Thursday from Ripon Community House, Ripon HG4 1LE.
E. foodsupport@riponcommunityhouse.co.uk

Selby and District foodbank voucher needs to be issued. Address: 1811 Building New Lane, Selby, YO8 4QP
T. 01757 703 426
E. info@selby.foodbank.org.uk

Skipton Foodbank always try to call the foodbank first to make a referral. Details needed for referral are: referrer details, number of adults, children, babies, any dietary needs or allergies, nappy sizes if needed, any extras needed (washing powder…)
M. 07856 080 194
E. food@skiptonfoodbank.org

Energy bills and money

Government Schemes

Cold Weather Payment this is paid if you receive certain benefits (incl. ESA and UC). It is made when your local temperature is either recorded or forecast to be 0 degree Celsius or below for 7 consecutive days. This applies to the period 01st November to 31st March. £25 is paid for each 7 day period.

Cost of Living Crisis Guide this was produced by Social Welfare Training. It outlines the main points for the various schemes of government support, including energy bills support scheme, pensioner cost of living payment, cost of living payment, disability cost of living payment, council tax rebate and household support fund payments.

Energy Bills Rebate Scheme under this scheme millions of households will receive up to £350 to help with the cost of living following the rise of the energy price cap. All domestic electricity customers will get £200 off their energy bills in October with 80% of households receiving £150 Council Tax rebate from April. The non repayable Council Tax rebate applies to all households in council Tax band A – D in England. The £200 energy discount will be paid back automatically over the next 5 years.

Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) for customers on credit meters and any type of smart meter (including prepayment) the discount will be applied automatically to the customers account without any action needed. However for customers using a traditional prepayment meter (i.e. they top up with a key or card and cannot top up on an app) the vouchers will will be provided with redeemable vouchers or Special Action Messages (SAMs) from the first week of each month starting October 2022. These will be issued via SMS text, email or post. Customers will need to take action to redeem these at their usual top-up point.

Help for Households the Cabinet Office has recently launched the ‘Help for Households’ campaign which explains the different government schemes available to help with the cost of living, including new one-off payments as well as existing benefits and schemes. These schemes have now been brought onto one Cost of Living Support website.

Warm Home Discount Scheme this is a one-off discount of £140 on your electricity bill between October and April. There are 2 ways to qualify for this. This doesn’t affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Scheme.
T. 0800 731 0214

Winter Fuel Payment If you were born on or before 26th September 1955 you may be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment. The payment is between £100 and £300 depending on your individual circumstances. If you receive state pension or another social security benefit (but not housing benefit, Council Tax reduction, Child Benefit or Universal Credit) the payments will be made automatically. The Winter Fuel Payment doesn’t affect other benefits and is tax free.

Other Schemes or Organisations

Better Homes Yorkshire – Bradford is a council endorsed energy efficiency scheme, which helps private homeowners across the Bradford district live in warmer, healthier homes and also reduce the cost of rising fuel bills. The scheme installs energy efficiency home improvements such as insulation, boilers and renewable energy technologies using the latest government funding to get the best offers for homeowners.
T.0800 597 1500

British Gas Energy Trust offers financial help with household energy costs and debts.

Citizens Advice the consumer service offers free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of topics, including energy. They can help with things like: How to switch supplier; What to do if you’re struggling to pay your bills or are in debt; Saving money on your energy bills; Advice on other areas including benefits problems, debt and money. Grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills
T 0808 223 1133^;Textphone: 118001 / 0808 223 1133 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).

Energy Saving Trust helps to save money on bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Whether that involves being more energy efficient, generating your own renewable energy, switching to a green tariff or insulating your home to keep the heat in, the Trust has advice and information to help.

Fuel Bank Foundation helps homes in fuel crisis and works with selected foodbanks and advice agencies to provide support. The neareast Fuel Banks within our areas are: Bradford and Keighley: Coordinated by Inn Churches, Juli Thompson –
E. juli@innchurches.co.uk Bradford
E. Rachel.Stewart@calderdale.gov.uk and Lisa.Connelly@regen.org.uk Halifax
E. admin@fuelbankfoundation.org for general Fuel Bank enquiries

Green Doctor this service is part of GroundWork and runs across the North East and Yorkshire. Eligibility applies for free home visits to access advice on issues with energy suppliers including billing, debt, meter connection and access to emergency top ups for those on a pre-paid meter whilst isolated, emergency broken heating/ hot water/ gas appliances and much more.
T. 0113 238 0601
E. greendoctorleeds@groundwork.org.uk

Here to Help the HELP team are here to let people know how to access services that are offering support, practical solutions and help to navigate your way through the various opportunities for saving money and energy. The HELP team can chat through: Saving energy in the home, Help with your gas and electricity bills, Help to get on the Priority Services Register, Safety information on the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
T. 01423 813090
E. help@hadca.org.uk

LEAP Local Energy Advice Partnership. This is a free service that is helping people keep warm and reduce their energy bills without costing them any money.
T. 0800 060 7567

NEA National Energy Action, the charity working to end fuel poverty. If you or someone you know can’t afford to heat their home then they’re here to help – they offer a range of advice and support both directly to people in need, and via frontline workers and other intermediaries.
T. 0800 304 7159

Yorkshire Energy Doctor – North Yorkshire the community interest company offers EPCs (Energy Performance Certificates) and independent advice on reducing household energy costs. Home energy visits to advise on a range of ways to help make heating a home more affordable. Information on managing energy costs and more.
T. 01757 249 100 E. kate@yorkshirenergydoctor.org.uk

Yorkshire Water Community Trust may be able to offer help with water bills. Here is the guide to their schemes with 2022/2023 prices.
T. 0345 129 9299

Your Electricity, Gas and Water leaflet A very useful leaflet produced by Northern Powergrid, Northern Gas Networks and Yorkshire Water working in partnership as ‘Infrastructure North’.

Warm and Well North Yorkshire get help with high energy bills, switching to cheaper energy suppliers and advice on keeping warm in the home.
North Yorkshire Household Support Fund. Warm and Well NY, is administering the energy portion of the Household Support Fund. They can issue fuel vouchers, payment to credit meters and the purchase of oil, LPG logs and coal. For families (includes couples) the payment will generally be £245.
Their advice bus and van have been working extra hard over the last quarter. It covers various locations across Hambleton, Richmondshire, Ryedale and Selby districts, bringing advice and support. The route is on their website.

T. 01609 767 555
Online Referral Form click here

Worried about money? – Craven – support for Craven residents who are worrying about money.

Warm Homes Healthy People Bradford free independent energy advice for those living in the Bradford District. This service is run by GroundWork.
T. 0808 168 3547

What should you do if your energy supplier goes bust?

1. Don’t panic!
2. Take photos of your meters showing the readings
3. Download any bills/screenshot any credit balance
4. You can cancel your MDD or keep paying, any payments will be transferred
5. Wait for Ofgem to transfer you to a new supplier
6. Keep a close eye on this process – give meter readings, check you have a DD in place
7. Be prepared for higher prices